Introduction

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We pray that Allah’s choicest blessings are on you and your family. The 9th month of the lunar calendar is quickly approaching and we are reminded of the following verses from the Holy Qur’an.

2:183 O You who have attained to faith! Fasting is ordained for you as it was ordained for those before you, so that you might remain conscious of God:

2:184 [fasting] during a certain number of days. But whoever of you is ill, or on a journey, [shall fast instead for the same] number of other days; and [in such cases] it is incumbent upon those who can afford it to make sacrifice by feeding a needy person. And whoever does more good than he is bound to do does good unto himself thereby; for to fast is to do good unto yourselves – if you but knew it.

2:185 It was the month of Ramadan in which the Qur’an was [first] bestowed from on high as a guidance unto man and a self-evident proof of that guidance, and as the standard by which to discern the true from the false. Hence, whoever of you lives to see this month shall fast throughout it; but he that is ill, or on a journey, [shall fast instead for the same] number of other days. God wills that you shall have ease, and does not will you to suffer hardship; but [He desires] that you complete the number [of days required], and that you extol God for His having guided you aright, and that you render your thanks [unto Him].

As Ramadan approaches it comes with us reflecting on the past year and the future. It calls us to recall all the wonderful things that occurred as well as the difficult moments and the sadness of losing our loved ones.

This is the 2nd year we will move forward with Ramadan without the physical presence of Imam Qasim Sharief. He was always at the forefront planning the activities for the month. He is not present this year but the love that he instilled in us for this work is.

This year I chair my 2nd Ramadan Program for the community. We need so much to support each other during this Ramadan. As the Imam I have laid out the tentative Programming Schedule for the month of Ramadan. Over the next two weeks we will be working out the kinks and creating a tightly knit program. I believe very much in planning things together, and that the opposite of community involvement leads to low quality or at worse failure.

I have identified certain people to lead in certain areas. These are only suggestions; In Sha Allah individuals will step up and assist in their areas of expertise. May Allah Let this Ramadan serve as our open door for a great new year.

Kashif Abdul-Karim
Resident Imam
Chairperson of Ramadan Programming

Moon Sighting at Masjid

Dua prayer: 9:00pm. Intentions to fast during Ramadan.

When the crescent is sighted, turn towards Qiblah, raising hands towards the sky, address it as under:

“My Lord and your Lord is Allah, the Lord of the worlds. O Allah for us let this month be a period of peace, faith safety and total submission to Thy will; make us walk apace swiftly to that which Thou likes and approves. O Allah pour out much blessings on us in this month, make available for us its generous good and assistance, and keep us safe from the harm, evil, misfortune and mischief that may try to trap us in this month.”

Narrated AbuHurayrah:

Allah’s Messenger (peace_be_upon_him) said: Observe fast on sighting it (the new moon) and break it on sighting it. But if (due to clouds) the actual position of the month is concealed from you, you should then count thirty (days).
SAHIH MUSLIM HADITH:_No 2380